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Indigenous, rural and remote health



Starting point for Indigenous, rural and remote health

Starting point contains definitions, facts, figures and overviews

Key online dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks

Encyclopedia of public healthArticles cover a broad range of topics related to public health. Several relate to rural and/or remote health (US-centric)
Gale encyclopedia of nursing and allied healthEntries cover topics in body systems and functions, diseases, theories, techniques, devices and equipment. The roles of major health professionals are also discussed.

Key print dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks

Use the catalogue to search for more dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks


Catalogue searching

You can search the Library Catalogue to find books, DVDs, journals and other materials

If you know the exact title in the New catalogue

If you are searching for a topic in the New catalogue

Truncation is generally not needed as entering any version of a word will retrieve many variations.

More information


Databases and journal articles for Rural and remote health

Use databases to search for journal articles, book chapters, conference papers or research reports

Key databases for Rural and remote health

Databases Notes Help
AIATSIS Indigenous studies bibliographyA bibliographic database that indexes published and unpublished material on Australian Indigenous studies. Produced by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies LibraryHelp is available from any screen within the database
ATSIhealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health bibliography (on Informit Medicine & Health)A bibliographic database that indexes published and unpublished material on Australian Indigenous healthHelp is available from any screen within the database
Australian Public Affairs – Full Text (APA-FT) APA-FT is based on the journal indexing of the database Australian Public Affairs Information Service (APAIS) and provides indexing and selected full text access to Australian literature in business, health, social sciences and humanitiesHelp is available from any screen within the database
H&S health & society database (on Informit Medicine & Health)A bibliographic database that covers published and unpublished material on health policy and services and the social, psychological, legal and ethical issues associated with health. Produced by the Australian Institute of Family StudiesHelp is available from any screen within the database
Informit HealthThis subject collection of databases is particularly focused upon Australasia but includes material from around the world, including 10 smaller databases. These are a mixture of bibliographic and full text, and cover various aspects of medicine and health, including indigenous and rural healthHelp is available from any screen within the database
RURAL rural and remote health database (on Informit Medicine & Health)A bibliographic database that covers international rural and remote area health issues and care, and the practice and educational needs of health providers. It is produced by the Monash University School of Rural HealthHelp is available from any screen within the database
SCOPUSScopus is the largest abstract and citation database of research literature and quality web sources. A multidisciplinary database, it includes international coverage of rural and remote healthHelp is available from any screen within the database

Complete list of Rural health databases. Also check the multidisciplinary databases as they cover a wide range of academic topics. You can select other subjects from the database subject list


Full text not available?

When the full text is not available, search for the journal title in the Library catalogue to discover if print or online copies are available

Database search tips

For help with searching databases see Connecting and Combining Search Terms or Truncation/Wildcards/Phrase searching: Basic or Online training or Ask the Library


Key internet sites for Indigenous, rural and remote health

It is important to critically evaluate all information you find particularly information found on the web.

This is a starting list of internet sites. You may want to do your own searches using search engines

Useful starters

Government organisations

  • ABC Rural (Australia) The hub for the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s rural content, including material from ABC TV, Radio and Online
  • Queensland Health, Queensland Government This organisation is responsible for the provision of health services for all Queenslanders. Information about health topics, services, policy, programs, events and employment opportunities is provided

Non-Government organisations and research

  • ARHEN (Australian Rural Health Education Network) This network was formed to provide a coordinating and representative function for the eleven Schools and Departments participating in the University Departments of Rural Health Program. Links to member websites, where available, are provided
  • Institute of Rural Health (UK) The IRH aims to improve rural health through research, education and policy analysis. Publications, news and links are provided
  • Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) The RFDS “is a not-for-profit service providing aeromedical emergency and primary health care services together with communication and education assistance to people who live, work and travel in regional and remote Australia”
  • Rural Health Research Gateway (USA) Provided by the Office of Rural Health Policy, this site provides access to information about research projects, research centres and researchers, as well as abstracts and/or fulltext publications arising from research conducted as part of the Rural Health Research Center Program
  • Spencer Gulf Rural Health School (SGRHS) A joint project of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, the SGRHS has the goal of improving the health of rural and remote communities through education and research

Professional organisations

  • Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives (ARNM) ARNM is a voluntary organisation with the aim of promoting quality health care in rural Australia through supporting rural health professionals, advocacy, and promoting professional standards
  • National Rural Health Network (NRHN) (Australia) This multidisciplinary network of university rural health clubs represents medical, nursing and allied health students with the aim of enlarging the health workforce and improving health outcomes for rural and remote Australians
  • National Rural Health Association (USA) The NRHA is a national nonprofit membership organization. Its goal is to “improve the health and wellbeing of rural Americans and to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, research and leadership”
  • Pharmacy Guild of Australia The Guild represents the interests and meets various needs of the pharmacy owners who comprise its membership. The Guild manages the Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program (RPWP)

Telehealth/Telemedicine/Online Health/Ehealth

  • Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine The NST “gathers, produces and disseminates knowledge about telemedicine services, both in Norway and internationally”. It is the WHO’s first Collaborating Centre for Telemedicine
  • Telemedicine Information Exchange A hub for international information about telemedicine, telehealth, and telemedicine/telehealth related activities, managed by the Association of Telehealth Service Providers (ATSP)
  • University of Queensland Centre for Online Health The COH undertakes research in telehealth and homecare, teaches about online health, and delivers online health services. The Centre’s focus is upon development of best practice models in online healthcare

Indigenous health focus

  • Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc. (AHCSA) AHCSA is a non-government organisation that represents “Aboriginal community controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia at a state and national level”. Some of the available resources include annual reports, media releases and information about education and training
  • Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (CRCAH) The CRCAH’s partners are drawn from the Aboriginal health sector, government health agencies and research institutions. Links are provided to a variety of publications such as newsletters and media releases, and to information about research projects, education and training, programs, and events
  • Department of Health and Ageing – Indigenous Health Information is given about the role of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) and the programs and initiatives it provides. An alphabetical list of online OATSIH publications is included


For further information about any of these resources please contact the Ask the Library service or ask at the library desk

Coordinated by: Health Sciences Academic Library Services Team